What Is Depression & What Are It's Symptoms?

Many of us have heard the word "depression" before and many think we have a vague notion of what it is but still we're never really quite sure if what we have is depression, or something else that is troubling us. For that reason, I thought it was important to highlight it's symptoms and causes and what can make it go away.

What is depression?

Depression is a medical illness, just as a cold and, like a cold that gets worse until it evolves into the flu, sadness that evolves into depression can be treated with medicine and with counseling. Despite popular belief, we do not have to remain in the pain.

What are it's symptoms?

There are many symptoms to depression that include:

change in appetite

change in sleeping habits

low performance in school/work

increased irritability/agitation

guilt

feelings of worthlessness

feeling 'empty' or 'numbed'

feeling overwhelming sadness

feeling fatigued

loss in interest in things once enjoyed

thoughts of suicide/self-harm. all are symptoms of depression.

What causes depression?

There are as many causes for depression as there are people. It can be triggered by a life changing event; good or bad, such as a divorce, break up, death, marriage, birth of a child, etc. An overload of stress can also lead to depression. It can also be triggered by little things that just keep building until you feel you're in a hole that can't be helped. Depression is individualized, which means that there is not a set cause; something that causes depression in one may not at all affect another. There is also something called "seasonal depression" in which a person feels normal and happy in all months except winter. This is probably brought about by the natural decrease in light and the ability to be outside.

Can depression be treated, and, if so, how?

Yes, it can be treated. There are many ways of overcoming depression, including medicine. Medicine helps because when you are depressed, there is an imbalance in your body's chemicals and medicine helps balance that back again. The number one way, though, is counseling and talking. Other healing tools include;

staying in lighted areas. Light has been proven to even reverse the effects of depression

moving even when you don't want to When we do nothing, boredom sets in and with boredom, we start to think about the pain, which only makes it worse so *moving*, even if just to walk around the block helps.

journal writing

keeping a list that records every good thing that happens every day helps remind us life isn't all bad.

becoming involved in school activities or youth groups.

How long does depression last?

Well, again, this depends upon the person but if the average person is not suicidal or self-harming themselves, then studies have shown that depression usually goes away within six months, if left untreated. However, do you really want to endure the symptoms of depression every day for six months? Probably not which is why asking for help is the best bet. With help, depression heals much faster. If suicidal, then if depression is left untreated, it can lead to suicide.

If you are depressed, are you crazy?

No. Studies have shown that the majority of the population will experience depression at least once in their lives. Depression comes from life. Though a wonderful gift, life does have it's challenging, difficult moments and because we're human, it's natural for us to be affected by those events. Depression does not mean you're crazy: it simply means you need a friend.

Hopefully, these answers have given you a little more insight into depression. With knowing that it's an illness that can and definitely should be treated, I hope it will encourage you to reach out to your school counselor, your youth minister, parent, teacher or other trusted adult for help.